The first thing we were told after our daughter was diagnosed with HLHS was to expect an extended stay in Dell’s CCU. As a parent about to have their first child, the thought of spending a lot of our firsts in a hospital room was a hard reality to accept. We found a new feeling of anxiety and dread every night when it was inevitably time for us to rest. Until we met our night nurse, Bailey. When Bailey greeted us, she had a familiarity where it felt like an old friend stopping in to say “Hello!” We felt that her confidence never quite outweighed her knowledge, and she was always very thoughtful in her medical explanations. She took the time to learn about our daughter’s personality, allowing her to respond to her needs appropriately.

Mere hours before our daughter’s first open heart surgery, she developed an abnormal heart rhythm that became severe and life-threatening. With Bailey’s watchful eye and quick response, life-saving measures were taken almost instantly. She stayed by our daughter’s side throughout the entire process. Bailey didn’t leave until everything was taken care of, even when her shift was long over. Despite how the previous night ended, Bailey came back and approached our daughter’s care without hesitation.

Over the following weeks, Bailey cared for our daughter intermittently. We would always be greeted with a personal note on the whiteboard, a stylish combination of linens, and the comfort of knowing our daughter had a friend when we weren’t there. Bailey is a rare talent who deserves recognition. Although our acquaintance is professional, a deep connection has always been facilitated by her empathy and compassion. We will forever be grateful for her keeping our baby girl safe and well swaddled!